Exploring America: States Traveled And Counted

The United States of America is a federal republic made up of 50 states, a federal district, and various territories. While international travel to and from the country has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a June 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 71% of US adults had travelled abroad at some point in their lives. However, a 2019 survey by OnePoll and Victorinox revealed that over half of the respondents (54%) had visited 10 or fewer US states, with 11% saying they had never travelled outside of their home state. For some, visiting all 50 states is a challenge, with an online community called the All Fifty States Club dedicated to this pursuit.

The number of US states travelled by Americans varies by income, education, race, and gender

The number of US states travelled to by Americans varies across demographic groups, including income, education, race, and gender.

Income

Income plays a significant role in determining the number of states Americans have travelled to. Those with higher incomes tend to travel more extensively within the US. Almost half (48%) of Americans earning less than $30,000 annually have not travelled to another state, compared to 28% of those earning between $30,000 and $79,999, and only 10% of those earning $80,000 or higher. The highest earners are also more likely to have visited multiple states.

Education

Americans with lower levels of education are less likely to have travelled to many US states. 37% of those with some college education or less have not travelled outside their home state, compared to only 7% of college graduates. College graduates are more likely to have visited multiple states, with a quarter having been to 10 or more states.

Race

Race also significantly impacts travel habits within the US. Black Americans (49%) are less likely to have travelled to other states than White (75%) or Hispanic (73%) Americans. White adults are more likely to have visited five or more states (30%) compared to Black (13%) or Hispanic (15%) adults.

Gender

Gender also influences travel patterns within the US. Women (32%) are more likely than men (22%) to have never travelled outside their home state. However, men are more likely to have visited five or more states (30% for men vs. 22% for women). Men and women are equally likely to have travelled to only one other state.

11% of Americans have never left the state they were born in

A survey of 2,000 Americans, conducted by market researchers OnePoll, revealed that 11% of respondents have never travelled outside the state they were born in. This statistic is surprising, given the vastness of the United States and the variety of landscapes and cultures across its 50 states.

While some Americans take on the challenge of visiting all 50 states, many never seem to venture far from home. The survey also found that over half of the respondents (54%) had visited 10 or fewer states, and 13% had never even flown in an airplane. These numbers indicate a general lack of interstate travel among a significant portion of Americans.

There are several possible reasons for this lack of travel within the United States. One significant factor is financial constraints. Many Americans find that international or even domestic travel is simply out of their budget. Work commitments and time constraints also play a role, with 25% of respondents citing a lack of time as a barrier to travel.

It is worth noting that, for years, U.S. citizens did not need a passport to travel to Mexico, Canada, and on many cruises, which may explain why 40% of respondents had never left the country. However, the survey also revealed a general interest in travel, with 76% expressing a desire to travel more. This suggests that while Americans may not always have the means or opportunity to travel, the willingness and curiosity to explore new places are certainly present.

40% of Americans have never left the country

A 2018 study by market researchers OnePoll, commissioned by travel luggage provider Victorinox, revealed that 40% of Americans have never left the country. This percentage is supported by a 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center, which found that 27% of US adults have not traveled abroad.

The OnePoll study surveyed 2,000 Americans and found that 11% of respondents had never traveled outside of the state in which they were born, with over half (54%) having visited 10 states or fewer. This lack of travel is often attributed to financial constraints, with 63% of Americans who have never left the country citing international trips as being outside of their budget. Time constraints also play a role, with 25% of respondents struggling to find the time to travel.

Despite these limitations, the desire to travel is strong among Americans, with 76% wanting to explore beyond their national borders. This is reflected in their interest in experiencing new things (85%) and their willingness to create travel lists (60%). However, the realization of these aspirations is hindered by financial constraints and feelings of unpreparedness or being ill-equipped.

The impact of income levels on international travel is significant. Data shows that 48% of Americans earning less than $30,000 annually have not left the country, compared to 28% of those earning between $30,000 and $79,999, and only 10% of those earning $80,000 or more. Higher-income individuals are also more likely to visit multiple countries.

In addition to income, educational background influences travel habits. 37% of Americans with some college education or less have not traveled internationally, compared to only 7% of college graduates. College graduates are also more likely to have visited multiple countries, with 25% having been to 10 or more.

The largest state by population is California, with 39,538,223 people

California is the most populous state in the US, with 39,538,223 residents as of the 2020 census. This figure is far greater than that of second-place Texas, which has 29 million residents. California's population is projected to surpass 42 million by 2030, though this may be affected by the recent decrease in its growth rate.

California's population is centred in several large cities. The state contains the second-largest city in the US, Los Angeles, as well as three of the country's ten largest cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose. California also contains the largest county in the US, Los Angeles County.

California is the third-largest state by area, with a population density of 251.3 people per square mile, ranking 11th in the country. The median age in California is 36 years, with 50.3% of the population being female and 49.6% being male.

California has a diverse population, with no single ethnic group constituting a majority. The largest ethnic group in the state is Hispanic, with 40% of Californians identifying as Latino. Spanish is the state's second-most widely spoken language, after English. As of 2020, 34.7% of Californians identified as non-Hispanic white, 5.4% as non-Hispanic African American, 0.4% as non-Hispanic Native American, 15.1% as non-Hispanic Asian, 0.4% as non-Hispanic Pacific Islander, 4.1% as non-Hispanic multiracial, and 39.4% as Hispanic or Latino.

California's population growth has slowed dramatically in the 21st century. Between 2010 and 2020, California's population grew by 5.8%, compared to a national growth rate of 6.8%. This slow growth led to California losing a seat in the US House of Representatives for the first time. California's population also declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the state losing 433,000 people between July 2020 and July 2023. This decline was driven by a combination of factors, including residents moving to other states, fewer births, higher deaths, and lower international migration.

The smallest state by population is Wyoming, with 576,851 people

The United States is made up of 50 states, and for many, a fun challenge is to visit them all. The smallest state by population is Wyoming, with 576,851 people recorded in the 2020 census. This number is a 2.3% change since the 2010 census. Wyoming is the least populous state despite being the 10th largest by area. Its population density is the second-lowest in the country, after Alaska.

Wyoming's capital is Cheyenne, which is also its most populous city, with 65,132 residents in 2020. Laramie County, where Cheyenne is located, is the state's most populous county, with a total population of 100,512.

Wyoming's western half is largely made up of the ranges and rangelands of the Rocky Mountains, while its eastern half is high-elevation prairie, known as the High Plains. The state's climate is semi-arid to continental, making it drier and windier than other states, with greater temperature extremes. The federal government owns just under half of Wyoming's land, which is generally protected for public use.

Wyoming's economy is largely based on tourism and the extraction of minerals such as coal, natural gas, oil, and trona. The state also has a strong agricultural sector, producing commodities such as barley, hay, livestock, sugar beets, wheat, and wool.

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